Macomber family legacy to be instilled upon Apponequet scholarship recipients

Monday

Aug 26, 2013 at 12:01 AMAug 26, 2013 at 10:42 AM

The Macomber family has always given so much to the town over the years.

Now, even in death, the late Roy and Helen Macomber are still giving back to the town through scholarships in their names.

Jeffrey D. Wagner

The Macomber family has always given so much to the town over the years.

Now, even in death, the late Roy and Helen Macomber are still giving back to the town through scholarships in their names.

Their eldest grandson, James O’Leary, has started a scholarship in their memory and will look to award money to Apponequet Regional High School seniors starting next year.

“I’m very excited about getting this scholarship fund off the ground,” O’Leary said. “My grandparents loved and served this community for many years. It seems fitting to honor their lives by giving back to the children in town.”

Roy Macomber served 33 years on the town’s fire department, including 17 years as its chief. Roy was also a successful businessman. He was the co-owner of Macomber Bros. Oil until his retirement in the late 1980s. He passed away in 2010.

Roy Macomber had a well-renowned love of dixie music. As a result, scholarship recipients will be those interested in pursuing a career in business, fire science or music.

His wife Helen passed away in 1999 after a fight with breast cancer. She was the mother of four and grandmother of nine. She served as an assistant town clerk and as a secretary for the family business.

In her honor and with respect for her battle with cancer, scholarship recipients will be those who want to pursue a career in the medical field.

“When she passed away, it hit my family hard. Yet, it also motivated us. In the years since her death, we’ve managed to raise thousands of dollars for cancer research,” O’Leary said.

Reached Friday, the Macombers’ son Charles Macomber, the town’s highway surveyor, appeared touched by O’Leary’s efforts.

Scholarship Committee Chairman Michael McCue, a friend of Charles Macomber, was also delighted. In fact, McCue is using Facebook to spread the word.

“It is a nice way to honor both of them,” McCue said. “They were in town since the the very beginning and they were always giving to the town. This is just another way they are doing it. “

Next month, O’Leary will be running in a 5K road race and hopes to raise at least $300 toward the scholarship fund. He hopes each scholarship recipient receives $500 each toward their education.

Those who would like to donate to the fund may visit www.GoFundMe.com/MacomberScholarship. Email MacomberFund@gmail.com for additional details.